Latching mechanism for luggage locker



Sept. 20, 1960 R. w. slTLi-:R 2,953,011

LATCHING MECHANISM FOR LUGGAGE LOCKER Filed Aug. 5, 1955 2 Sl'xeetS-Shee?l l 25W/Erz: fr Heb/4@ M 610252 Sept. 20, 1960 R. w. slTLER 2,953,011

LATCHING MECHANISM FOR LUGGAGE LOCKER Filed Aug. 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States atent f() LATCHIN G MECHANISM FOR LUGGAGE LOCKER Richard W. Sitler, St. Charles, Ill., assignor to Aurora Equipment Company, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of llhnols Filed Aug. 5, 1955, Ser. No. 526,594

17 Claims. (Cl. 70-80) This invention relates to a locker door construction and more particularly to a latch assembly mounted on the door for cooperation with a locker cabinet.

The door of the present invention is of the type that has an underturned margin with a latch therein. The underturned margin is adapted to confront a corresponding margin provided on the door for latching cooperation with a door keeper.

The present door construction is particularly constructed for use with a relatively small foot locker which lends itself to being stacked in tiers.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new and improved foot locker door construction of the overlapping type having novel latching means.

A further object of this invention is to provide `a foot locker door construction which is of a sturdy durable nature capable of resisting wrongful entry by trespassers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a foot locker door construction which lends itself to economical manufacture on a large production basis.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel locker door construction which is in assembly capable of being locked either by a padlock or a keylock mounted in the locker door.

Other objects and features of the invention may more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrates an embodiment thereof and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of my novel foot locker door construction showing how it is assembled with the locker cabinet and stacked in tiers;

Figure 2 is an enlarged rear elevational view of my novel locker showing the latching mechanism in detail;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken substantially on the line lll-lll of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line V-V of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

As shown on the dravidngs:

The reference numeral 8 indicates generally a foot locker of the type adapted to be stacked in tiers. The locker 8 includes a locker cabinet 9 having hinged thereon my novel locker door construction 10 embodying features of this invention.

The locker cabinet 9 is provided With a stepped mar gin 11 around the opening defined by the Walls of the cabinet. On the vertical margin 12, the `door is adapted to be suitably hinged thereon. On the other vertical margin 13 is mounted a door keeper 14.

The door 10 includes a main panel 15 having an underturned box-like continuous angled margin or channelshaped margin or channelled larea or margin or reinforcement 16 which is reinforced such as at 17 (Fig. 2) but which margin is otherwise open along its inner side 2,573,0ll Patented Sept. 20, 1960 rice for receipt of the latch hereafter `described in detail. The vertical margin 16 is of such arrangement as to be capable of confronting overlying engagement with the door margin 13.

Welded on the inner side of the door panel 1S is a padlock staple cover 18 which is adapted to project through an opening in the door to the outer Side of the door.

Disposed on the inner side of the door over the staple cover 18 and adjacent the vertical door margin 13 is my novel latch assembly 19 embodying features of this invention. My latch assembly includes as components a U-shaped member or second latch plate 20 and a box locker door latch or iirst latchplate 21.

The box locker `door latch 21 includes a main flange portion 22 provided with two slots 23 and 24 and is adapted to lie in co-planar confronting relation to the door panel 15. The flange 22 has at one end thereof vertically spaced stops 25 and 26 and intermediately located tabs 27 and 28. The latch flange 22 extends laterally into the channelled margin 16 (Figure 3). Connected at the other end of the ange 22 is a U-shaped portion or channelled portion or angled portion or channelled area or latch portion 29 including stepped flanges 3%, 31 and 32 which portion 16 is housed in the channelled margin. Flange 31 is slotted at 33 to permit the door keeper 14 t-o extend therethrough and engage with edge 34 in locked engagement.

It will be noted that the ange 32 is oset relative to the outer co-planar guide edge `35 of ange 32. In assembly, the guide edge 35 is adapted to slide up and down against the Wall of the door margin 16.

Cooper-able to hold the latch 19 on the door, the U-shaped member 20 includes la staple 36 formed on one side of same and a latch lift 37 formed on the other side :of same. On opposite vertical ends thereof is a pair of slots 38 `and 39 capable of receiving in assembly tabs 27 and 28.

In assembly the latch 20 is aligned with the door margin 16; the slot 23 being aligned with door slot 40; and'slot 24 being aligned with the staple cover 18. Latch lift 37 is then inserted through aligned openings 23--40 and staple 36 through opening 24 into 'the staple cover 18. Tabs 27 and 28 are then turned to interlock the latch 19, member 20 and panel 16 in assembled relation.

It will be appreciated that by virtue of the length of slot 40 and the size of staple cover 18 that limited movement is possible in order to engage and disengage the door keeper 14 with the edge 34 of latch 19.

To effect locked engagement between the locker cabinet 9 and door 10 tWo means have been provided. One manner is to insert a padlock (not shown) through the aligned openings 41 and 42 of the staple cover 18 and staple 36. The other manner is to turn the key of a lock 43 so that a bar 44 is actuated to engage topside of the stop 26.

The lock 43 extends through from the outer side of the panel 15 and is carried on the main panel 15, a reinforcing guide 45 and a brace 46 which are bolted together at 47 :and V48. In other words, the panel 15, guide 45 and brace are in stacked contiguous relation. Carried on the guide 45 lare a pair of vertically spaced abutments or stops 49 and 5i) which are laterally otiset from the guide. The stops serve to provide an additional backup for the latch 21 holding flange 22 against the panel 15 in loose engagement to permit the flange to move vertically. In addition, shoulders at the junction of the offset stops 49 and 50 with the guide 45 serve to additionally position and transversely support the latch. Still further, the stops 49 and 50 serve to circumscribe vertical movement of the latch 19.

It will be appreciated that as the bar 44 er1-gages against J1 the top side of the stop 26 the latch is maintained in locked position against the abutment stop S0.

The present foot locker door and latch assembly is of a durable and reinforced construction, and yet is relatively economical to manufact-ure because of the small number of components. The reinforcing U-shaped cornbination latch lift and staple' member along with my novel latch permit easy assembly and efficient' operation with a minimum number of components.

The present door construction allows the door to be manufactured for immediate use since if the purchaser decides to have keylocks installed, economical stop means have been already providedto permit ready installation with little or no variation in the door.

`It will be understood'thatmodifications and variations may be' effected Without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a locker door for use with a locker having a door opening defined by an outer body margin having a door keeper, a'door panel for overlapping the opening and margin and having at least one rearwardly projecting peripheral margin defining substantially a box-like cavity capable of confronting engagement with the body margin, a depending stapleV cover extending outwardly from the panel, a latch having a portion for movement in'said box-like cavity for engagement with the door keeper and having a laterally projecting flange in sliding opposed relation with the door. panel, and a U-shaped combination latch lifter and staple member extending outwardly through said latch flange and door panel with the staple extending into staple cover and with the bottom portion of the U-shaped member disposed on the inner side ofthe door.

2. `In a locker door for use with a locker having a door opening defined by an outer body margin having a door keeper, a door panel for overlapping the opening and margin and having at least one rearwardly'projecting peripheral margin defining substantially a yboxlike cavity capable of confronting engagement with the body margin, a depending staple cover extending out'- wardly from the panel, a latch movable Vin said boxlike cavity for engagement with the door keeper and having a laterally projecting flange in sliding opposed relation with the door panel, and a U-shaped combination latch lifter and staple member extending outwardly through said latch flange and door panel with the staple extending into the staple cover, the bottom portion of said U-shaped Imember holding the latch flange in firm locked engagement with the door and capable of limited sliding movement to effect latching and unlatching.

3. In'a locker door for nse with a locker having a door opening defined by an outer body margin having a door'keeper, a door panel overlapping the opening and margin and having at least one rearwardly projecting peripheral margin defining substantially a box-like cavity for confronting engagement with the body margin, a depending staple cover extending from the panel, a latch for movement in'said box-like cavity for engagement With the door keeper and having a laterally'projecting flange in sliding opposed relation with the door panel, a U-shaped combination latch lifter and staple member extending outwardly through said latch flange and door panel'with a base portion of the U-shaped member on the inner side of the door and with the staple member extending into the staple cover, said ange provided With a stop, and a key lock accessible for the outer side of the door having means cooperable with said stop to lock same.

4. Latching mechanism for a locker andY locker door comprising a first plate including joined main and latch plate adapted to be between said second plate and theV door, a latch lift extending from said second` plate trans- 4 versely of said first plate, a stop adapted to be carried by the door to holdsaid first plate loosely' thereagainst, an ear depending from one of said plates closely adjacent said stop, and a key operated lock having a dog swingable to lock out said ear to prevent manipulation of said latch lift.

5. A locker door forV a locker having a body defining a body', housing-and with at` least one keeper on the body, a reinforcement extending rrearwardly along one of the marginal edges of the door, saidreinforcement being disposed opposite the keeper and having a first slot through which the keeper may be telescoped when the door is closed, a nrst plate including joined main and latch portionsiwithfthe latch portion being disposed at one end of the main portion, the latch portion being disposed in said reinforcement having a second slot generally in registration with saidV first slot and with the keeper insertable through said slots in locking engagement With' said'latch portion,l and Ia'second plate fastened to and underlying Vsaid first' plate with said first plate betweenv said'scond plate land said door, said second plate-having =a latch liftV extension extended outwardly through slots in said first` plate and said door joining said plates to said door and with said extension being movable to disconnect said latch portion from the keeper. Y y

6. The locker door ofclaim 5 further' characterized by a stop disposed in laterally'spaced relation to the reinforcement on said door to holdsaid plates in sldable engagement against' saidl ydoor -to prevent cooking of the plates relative to the door and to resist tampering.

7. The locker door of claim 5 further characterized by said'latch portion being angular and having a guide for maintaining said latch slotV and said` reinforcement slot in relative alignment.

8. A locker door for a locker having a body dening a body housing andV at' least one keeper on the body, a reinforcement extending rearwardly along one of the marginal'edges of the door, said reinforcement disposed opposite thekeeper and' having afirst slot through which the keeper may be telescop'ed when the door is closed,

a first plate including joined main and latch portions Y with the latch portion being disposed at oneend of the main portion, the latch portion being disposed in said reinforcement-having a second slot generallyin registration withsaidk first slot and with the keeper'insertable through saidslots inV locking engagement with s-aid latch portion, a second plate fastened to and underlying said first plate with said vfirst plate between said' second plate and said door, said second plate having a latch lift extension'extending outwardly through said door and with said extension being movable to disconnect said' latch portion'from the keeper, a depending ear on the nrst plate, stop means on one side of. said'ea'r, 'anda key operated lock having aY latching'dog swingable on an opposite side of-"saidV ear to lo'ck" out said earand said latch portion. g

9. A locker door'for =a locker having a body deiining a bodyA housing and'with at least one keeper on the' body, a reinforcement extending rearwardly along oneof the marginal edges of the door,"said'reinforcement disposed opposite the Vkeeper and having a first slot through which the keeper maybe telescopedwhen-the'door isV closed, a lir'stplateincllldingV joinedY main and latch portions with the'latched portion beingdispos'ed at` one end of the lmain portion, the latch portion being disposed in said reinforcement having j a second slot" generally inTregis-trationi with saidlfirs't slot' and with the keeper in'sertable t-hroughs'a'id` slots inlocking engagement with said latchy portion, a second Vplate fastened to and underlying said first' plate 'withsa'idfrst plate between said second plate and' said'doonsaid second plate having a latchrlift` extension and a slotted' staple extensionV extending outwardly. through vslots in said 'rst plate and said door to interlockV said" plates and latch portion to said door and with said extension being movable to disconnect said latch portion from the keeper, and a slotted staple cover on the outer side of said door with said staple extension movable in said cover with said shift extension.

10. In a locker door stnucture including a door panel and an underturned hollow door margin with slot structure through -the door panel disposed at one side of the door margin, a latching mechanism comprised of a pair of plates with the i'lrst of said plates having a latch portion being disposed within the hollow door mangin and a laterally extending ange portion lying in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the door for underlying the door, the flange portion having slot structure, the Second of said plates underlying and carried by the 'hst of the plates to one side of the latch portion with said rst plate lying between the second plate and the door, a latch lift extension and a staple each turned from said second plate and extended through the slot structure in said first plate and said panel in interlocked relation, and fastening structure for maintaining the plates in assembly with the door.

11. The structure of claim further characterized by both said latch portion :and said door margin having channelled areas but with the channelled 'areas opening in different directions with respect to one another.

12. The structure of claim 10 further characterized by said fastening structure comprising a third plate overlapping at least one of the other plates and being fastened to the door panel.

13. The structure of claim 10 further characterized by the fastening structure including tab means on the rst plate bearing against said second plate for preventing the rst 'and second plates from coming apart.

14. In a locker door structure including a door panel having slot structure, a latching mechanism comprised of a pair of plates with the first of said plates having a latch portion and a laterally extending flange portion lying in la plane generally parallel to the plane of the door for underlying the door, the second of said plates unlerlying and carried by the iirst of the plates to one side of the latch portion with said first plate lying between the second plate and the door, a latch lift extension and a staple each turned from said second plate and extending through the slot structure in said rst plate and said panel in interlocked relation, and fastening structure on the mechanism for maintaining the plates in assembly upon the door.

15. Latching mechanism for a locker and locker door comprising a first plate including joined main and latch portions with the latch portion being turned from the main portion and with the main portion having slot structure, a second plate underlying and carried by said first plate with said iirst plate adapted to be between said second plate and the door, a latch lift extension and a staple each turned from said second plate and extended through the slot structure on said rst plate to join the plates together, and said mechanism having fastening structure to maintain the extension and the staple extended through the slot structure.

16. The mechanism of claim 15 further characterized by said latch portion being U-shaped and having a guide to maintain proper alignment between the latch and the door.

17. lIn a locker door structure including a door panel and la hollow `door margin with slot structure through the door panel at one side of the door margin, a latching mechanism comprised of plate structure including a first vertically movable plate and a second vertically movable plate and with the plates and the door panel being stacked in superimposed engaged relation with respect to one another, the plates having means joining them together in assembly, the first plate having la channelled latch portion at one end disposed in the hollow door mangin and a relatively at laterally extending ange portion at an opposite end lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the door and underlying the door, the second vertically movable plate having a latch lift extension turned from said second plate and extended through said slot structure in the door panel, and fastening structure on the latching mechanism maintaining the plate structure in slidable assembly and in abutment with the door panel, said latch lift extension comprising a tab disposed in angular relation to the plates and being vertically movable in said slot structure for moving the first and second plates vertically with said latch lift extension, the plates being disposed on the inside of the door adjacent the hollow door margin and being concealed by the door panel except for the tab.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,312,931 Tenny et al. Aug. 12, 1919 1,531,321 Vance Mar. 31, 1925 1,532,245 Kaser Apr. 7, 1925 1,671,328 Sturm et al. May 29, 1928 1,934,397 Bales et al. Nov. 7, 1933 1,970,267 Bales Aug. 14, 1934 1,973,579 Ryan et al. Sept. 11, 1934 2,483,606 Albach et al. Oct. 4, 1949 2,698,197 Jacobson Dec. 28, 1954 2,821,425 Vogt Jan. 28, 1958 

